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Iran releases seized South Korean tanker
Release of Hankuk Chemi vessel seized by the Revolutionary Guards in January comes as Iran and world powers seek to revive 2015 nuclear deal.
The ship, with its captain and 12 other crew members on board, left the Iranian port at approximately 6am (013:0 GMT), the South Korean foreign ministry added.
The crew members have stayed on the ship for maintenance purposes, although earlier reports said that the crew had been allowed to leave Iran as early as February.
Iran’s foreign ministry also confirmed the released, saying the prosecutor that had ordered the detention of the vessel granted its captain and the South Korean government’s request to release it after judicial investigations were completed.
The release came amid speculation that Seoul and Tehran are making progress in addressing Iran’s call to unlock its funds of $7bn frozen in South Korea under United States sanctions.
The crew members have stayed on the ship for maintenance purposes, although earlier reports said that the crew had been allowed to leave Iran as early as February.
Iran’s foreign ministry also confirmed the released, saying the prosecutor that had ordered the detention of the vessel granted its captain and the South Korean government’s request to release it after judicial investigations were completed.
The release came amid speculation that Seoul and Tehran are making progress in addressing Iran’s call to unlock its funds of $7bn frozen in South Korea under United States sanctions.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/4/9/iran-releases-seized-south-korean-tanker-seoul-foreign-ministry
